Progressive slide mechanism



May 27, 1958 A. YORINKS PROGRESSIVE SLIDE MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 13, 1954 .ms F

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May 27, 1958 A. YQRINKS PROGRESSIVE SLIDE MECHANISM Filed Jan. l5, 1954 4 Shee'S--Sheecl 2 Fig. ll Fig. l2

INVENTOR.

ALEXANDER YORINKS BY v AGENT May 27, 1958 A. YRINKS 2,836,469

PROGRESSIVE SLIDE MECHANISM Flei Jan. 13. 19511 4 SheecS-Shee'I 3 INVENTOR.

ALEXANDER YORINKS BY u am AGENT May 27, 1958 A. YoRlNKs 2,835,459

PROGRESSIVE SLIDE MECHANISM Filed Jan. 13. 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENToR.

ALEXANDER YoRlNKs AGENT United States Pnoonassrvn sLma Mechanism Aiexander Yorinks, New Hyde Park, N. Y.

Application January 13, 1954i, Serial No. 63,819

20 Claims. (Cl. 3tlg- 3.3)

This invention relates to slide mechanisms for drawers, rack mounted equipment chassis and the like and, in particular, to such mechanisms of the progressive type.

Progressive slide mechanisms capable of supporting heavy loads and which provide easy or low friction operation available prior to this invention have been in general complex mechanisms requiring precision production practices and accordingly, unlike the devices of this invention, are expensive to manufacture.

In certain applications, apparatus such as electronic tubes and related components are mounted on a chassis which is in turn attached to extensible members. While normally it is sui'iicient to extend the support to provide access to the apparatus for making or adjustments, etc., it is frequently necessary to completely remove the apparatus for maintenance operations or operational reasons. If the slide mechanism is separable without disassembly of the mechanism as is the apparatus of this invention, a convenient means for accomplishing the separation exists.

The devices of this invention satisfy these requirements and many other objects.

This invention also provides a progressive slide mechanism which may be extended to more than twice its closed length and capable of supporting the same load in its extended position as in its closed position.

An object of this invention is to provide a slide mechanism having these advantages which is simple and inexpensive in its parts and which may be easily assembled with low labor cost.

Another object of this invention is to provide an extensible support member which is durable and free from vibration and rattling after extended use.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a progressive slide mechanism which may be disassembled without disengaging individual bearing members.

Another object of this invention is to provide a progressive slide mechanism using a novel bearing arrangement.

An object of this invention is to provide progressive slide mechanism having an improved locking means.

A still different object of this invention is to provide a slide mechanism utilizing roller pins as bearings.

A particular object of this invention is to provide a slide mechanism capable of supporting a heavy load in an extended position.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

ln the drawings:

Figure 1 is a preferred embodiment of the slide mechanism of this invention shown in perspective with a portion broken away for purposes or" illustration.

Figure 2 is a perspective View of an alternative intermediate member.

Figure 3 presents, pictorially, another alternative progressive slide intermediate portion.

arent t Figure 4 presents in cross section the plan View of an alternative intermediate member.

Figure 5 shows in elevation a cross section of the ment of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a plan view of still another intermediate member having a novel roller locking feature.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 6.

In Figure 8 there is shown, pictorially, a slide mechanism of this invention utilizing an alternative roller pin design.

Figure 9 shows, partially broken away, the embodiment of Figure 8 utilizing an alternative spacer arrangement.

Figure l0 shows, in elevation, a still different roller pin slide mechanism.

Figures 1l and l2 show, in plan, the elements of the mechanism of Figure 10.

Figure 13 presents, pictorially, still another embodiment of this invention partially disassembled.

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled unit of Figure 13.

Figure l5 shows isometrically a slide mechanism of this invention incorporating a preferred stop mechanism. Figure 16 discloses a two pin locking mechanism.

There are three principal members in a progressive slide mechanism. The rst, referred to hereafter as the load member is normally attached directly to the object to be supported. The second is the fixed member which is stationary and is usually attached to the cabinet or console. The third is the intermediate or progressive member which is supported by the xed member and which in turn supports the load member.

There is shown in Figure 1 the currently preferred embodiment of this invention. Two identical simple C-shaped members which may be inexpensively manufactured by conventional sheet metal techniques serve as the load member 2 and xed member 4.

Mounting member 5 shown attached to load member 2 provides a ange portion 6 and a flange portion 7 which permits two alternative load mounting positions. An intermediate member shown generally at 8 positions a plurality of roller pins 10. The intermediate member consists of at metal plates 12 and 14 which positions the roller pins 1l) relative to each other by means of partial holes 16 so that a portion of each roller pin 10 is exposed to provide a bearing surface. Plates 12 and 14 are spaced by center web member 18 which has a protruding rib 20 adapted to mate with annular recess 22 of pin 10 so as to lockingly restrain the pins 10 into the intermediate member. Rivets 24 extend through plates 12, web member 18, and plate 14 to secure these elements together.

Assume that a chassis attached to mounting member S is to be withdrawn from a cabinet 26 in which the slide mechanism is mounted. Load member 2 is caused to slide outwardly carrying with it intermediate member S. Conventional stop mechanisms, not shown, limit the total extension and thus prevent separation of the various members. By releasing of the stop mechanism the load member 2 may be removed so that components mounted on the chassis may be serviced or optionally the whole chassis may be replaced including the load member 2, since the load members are inherently interchangeable.

An important advantage of the slide mechanism of this invention is the retention of the bearing members, roller pins 1G, in the intermediate member when the slide is disassembled.

In conventional units using ball bearings either the balls are individually mounted in the apparatus or as many as four separate ball retainers are employed. Either construction is undesirable. The use of balls without a structure.

Ying the'slide rigid in Ithe closcdrposition. movement of the slides Iin a transverse*directionwhich .is

a common. disadvantage of prior artde.fice's,particularly -xmediate member ltitljrisprovided wighpi A y VAs the slide is closed, one endthiddenfin 'theview) of member in the Yform of resilient rubber -sheet 29, coni.

pressed between the iixed member d and. cabinet 28.

The wall of ixed member l is bonded to rubber sheet rihis method of mounting provides a shoclcabsorbing welded or bolted directly to the cabinet. i

Alternative constructions of the intermediate member are shown in Figures 2 and 9.

InFigure 2 three flat members are shown assembled to formV the top and bottom retaining plates, 30 and 325 ofthe intermediate member while member 3d torres the locking rib. Fasteners 36 which may be rivets retain plates 56, 32 and member 3d tc-gethe 10 are not shown. However, it should be noted that pins 1li Yneed be positioned before rib member 3d is inserted.

Two similarly formed sheet metal plates 33 and are riveted or welded to opposite sides of a rib member d2 to form the intermediate member shown in Figure 3. Again the roller pins are not shown for clarity.

AY more complex intermediate member structure is shown Vin Figure 4 Vwhere-in a block is drilled to provideV roller pin positioning holes 4d and holes to for locking InY Figures 6 and 7 there isshown an intermediate member formed from a bar 6i) having an internal bore 62 which serves'as a keyway, rod of, shown partly in- Y serted, serves asV a key to lock roller pins di in position.

The slide. mechanisms of this invention may be universally mounted. That is they may be used with the rollerv pin positioned-vertically as in Figure lV or with the pinsk horizontales in Figure l0 with the load either suspended or supported Vfrom the loadrnernber.

The fro-ller pins may be readily inserted in the intermediate memberV andlocked in position. This makes assembly of this device far simple-r than one utilizing ball bearings. f Y i Referring'now to FiguresS there is shown a resilient rubber'shock mounting V,7d-armed to mounting plate 72 which is provided with mounting holes 74. 1riiixed member7d and load member 73 correspond to the meni- Vbers 2 and tot Figure l. VRollers Sii are provided Ywith' pins 82V which are insertedV through plates V34 and VSA-fterinsertion the plates are maintained in aV spacedV relation by'riveting or welding to reinforcing web gli.

Alternatively, Ythe xed member may be.

For clarity pins An annular groove Si? rekassenso In the embodiment of'Figures'lO, lil.Y and l2,there is together to form an l beam. ri`his member could alsoVV be formed by extrusion techniques. Finsl are inserted into holes i124 and locked by Vmeans of strap 126 which is riveted or iwelded in place. lA plurality of individual i locking straps 123 maybe substituted Vfor strip` L25. 4 Y. There is disclosed in Figure l5 a/Ainechanism for Aholdrifhis prevents when used iny equipment located in moving vehicle-s where Ythe constant vibration'results'in `e cessive pin ZllZV enga-ges angular blockridfwhile thefgend ldt;

f spaced Y different Ymethod of wear. Y Inter-V 2&2 `and iev/nich are welded engages angula-r face portion 208 which is a simple notchVV in the wall of the fixed member 210. The load member e permit easier entrance of the intermediate member.Y

This is shown most clearly in `Figure l. The rollers may be faced with nylon or, where load bearingrequirements permit, may be molded entirely of nylon. i Y

While l have disclosed a number of embodiments of ymy invention it may be apreciated that other mordi-V ncaticns and changes may be made without departing from thc spirit of the invention, hence l ydesire to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims..

What I claimas new is: 4 Y l. A slide mechanism comprising aprogressive member having a pluralityl of rollers provided with a reduced portion intermediate their ends, a substantially I-shaped member consisting of a web yportieri adapted to mateYV with said reduced portions and a `pair ofV flange members aiiixed Yat substantially Vright anglesto said web portion, said lanffesbein eroratcd `to receive said i rollers in two parallel r ws so as to provide exposed Ybearing surfaces, a load member having a groove adapted to slidably receive one of said rows of rollers and a fixed member having a groove adapted to slidably Yreceive the other of saidrowsand meansto'retain said ber Vhaving a plurality of rollers provided V'with Va reduced portion intermediate their ends, a substantially l-shaped member consisting ofV a Vweb portion adapted to mate with said reduced portions and a pair of flange members ailxed at substantially right angles to said web portion,

Ysaid anges being perforated to'receive said rollers in two parallel rows, a load member providing a groove adapted to slidably receive one of said rows of rollers and a fixed member providing a groove adapted to slidably receive the other of said rows, said fixedv and load members consisting of a strip having Yits longitudinal edgesV rebent to provide laterally directed anges arranged at right angles thereto Vand inwardly directed flanges arranged parallel thereto wherein said last named liange forni said grooves. Y Y i 3. A slide mechanism Vcomprising a progressive meming matching spaced perforations along the edges, a plurality of rollers provided with a reduced portion intermediate their ends rollably positioned in said perforations, a locking member fixed between said elongated `members and adapted to mate with said reduced portion so as to lock said rollers into said perforations, a load of said rows of rollers and a fixed member` having a groove adapted to slidabiy receive theother of: said rows.

4. A lide mechanism comprising aprogressive member:

`formedvof a pair of spacedV elongatedmembers having n matching spaced perforations along the edges, a plurality of rollers provided Vwith a reduced portion intermediate of rollers and a fixed member providing a groove adapted tofslidably receivethe other ofsaidrows, said fixed and load mcmbersconsisting of a strip having its longitudinal ber formed of a pair of spaced elongated members Vhavmember having a grooveradapted to slidably receive one` edgesrebent to provide laterally directed llanges arrangedl at right angles thereto and inwardly directed flanges arranged parallel thereto wherein said last named flanges form said grooves.

5. A slide mechanism for attachment to a supporting member comprising a progressive member having a plurality of rollers provided with a reduced portion intermediate their ends, a substantially l-shaped member consisting of a web element adapted to mate with said reduced portions and a pair of flange members afiixed to said web member, said flanges being perforated to receive said rollers in two parallel rows, load member having a groove adapted to slidably receive one of said rows of rollers, a xed member having a groove adapted to slidably receive the other of said rows, and a resilient material attached to said fixed member and adapted to be compressed between a supporting member said fixed member.

6. A slide mechanism for attachment to a supporting member comprising a progressive member having a plurality of rollers provided with a reduced portion intermediate their ends, a substantially I-shaped member having a web provided with a portion adapted to mate with said reduced portions and a pair of flange members aixed to said web member, said flanges being perforated to receive said rollers in two parallel rows, a load member providing a groove adapted to slidably receive one of said rows of rollers, a fixed member providing a groove adapted to slidably receive the other of said rows, said fixed and load members consisting of a strip having its longitudinal edges rebent to provide laterally directed flanges arranged at right angles thereto and inwardly directed flanges arranged parallel thereto wherein said last named flanges form said grooves, and a resilient material attached to said fixed member and adapted to be compressed between a supporting member and said fixed member.

7. A progressive slide mechanism for attachment to a supporting member, comprising an intermediate member formed of a pair of elongated members having spaced perforations along the edges, a plurality of rollers provided with a reduced portion intermediate their ends rotatably positioned in said perforations, a locking member fixed between said elongated members and adapted to mate with said reduced portion so as to lock said rollers into said perforations, a load member having a groove adapted to slidably receive one of said rows of rollers and a fixed member having a groove adapted to slidably receive the other of said rows, and a resilient material attached to said fixed member adapted to be compressed between a supporting member and said fixed member.

8. A slide mechanism comprising a relatively long member of substantially rectangular cross-section perforated with two parallel rows of openings transversely positioned along the longitudinal edges of said member and a keyway intersecting said transverse holes, a plurality of rollers provided with a reduced portion intermediate their ends rotatably positioned in said openings so as to have an exposed bearing surface, a key member adapted to mate with said reduced portion positioned in said keyway, a load member having a groove adapted to slidably receive one of said rows of rollers and a fixed member having a groove adapted to slidably receive the other of said rows and means to retain said rollers in said grooves.

9. The slide mechanism of claim 8 wherein said key is provided with a circular cross-section.

10. A slide mechanism comprising a relatively long member of substantially rectangular cross-section perforated with two parallel rows of openings transversely positioned along the longitudinal edges of said member and a keyway intersecting said transverse holes, a plurality of rollers provided with a reduced portion intermediate their ends rotatably positioned in said openings so as to have an exposed bearing surface, a key member 6 adapted to mate with said reduced portion positioned in said keyway, a load member providing a groove adapted to slidably receive one of said rows of rollers and a fixed member providing a groove adapted to slidably receive the other of said rows, said fixed and load members consisting of a strip having its longitudinal edges rebent to provide laterally directed flanges arranged at right angles thereto and inwardly directed flanges parallel thereto wherein said last named flanges form said grooves.

1l. The slide mechanism of claim l() wherein said key is provided with a circular cross-section.

l2. A slide mechanism comprising an intermediate member having a longitudinal dimension substantially greater than its lateral dimensions and provided with a plurality of lateral channels of circular cross-section arranged in two longitudinal parallel rows and transverse openings extending from each said channel at substantially right angles, a plurality of rollers each provided with a reduced portion intermediate its ends, said rollers being rollably positioned in said channels, pins inserted in said openings adapted to mate with said reduced portions, means for positioning said pins in said openings,

load member having a groove adapted to slidably receive one of Asaid rows of rollers and a fixed member having a groove adapted to slidably receive the other of said rows and means to retain said rollers in said grooves.

13. A slide mechanism comprising an intermediate member having a` longitudinal dimension substantially greater than its lateral dimensions and provided with a plurality of lateral channels of circular cross-section arg ranged in two longitudinal parallel rows and transverse openings extending from each said channel at substantially right angles, a plurality of rollers provided with a reduced portion intermediate its ends, said rollers being rollably positioned in said channels, pins inserted in said openings adapted to mate with said reduced portions, means for positioning said pins in said openings, a load member providing a groove adapted to slidably receive one of said rows of rollers and a fixed member providing a groove adapted to slidably receive the other of said rows, said fixed and load members consisting of a strip having its longitudinal edges rebent to provide laterally directed flanges arranged at right angles thereto and inwardly directed flanges parallel thereto wherein said last named flanges form said grooves.

14. A progressive slide mechanism comprising an intermediate member having a plurality of rollers provided with a reduced portion intermediate their ends, a substantially l shaped member consisting of a web and a pair of flange members at right angles thereto, said flanges being perforated to rollably receive said rollers in two parallel rows, a pair of strip members adapted to mate with said reduced portion of each of said pair fastened to opposite sides of said web member so as to retain said rollers, a load member having a groove adapted to slidably receive one of said rows of rollers and a fixed member having a groove adapted to slidably receive the other of said rows.

l5. A progressive slide mechanism comprising an intermediate member having a plurality of rollers provided with a reduced portion intermediate their ends, a substantially i shaped member consisting of a web and a pair of flange members affixed to said web member, said flanges being perforated to receive said rollers in two parallel rows having a portion of said rollers exposed, a pair of strips having formed loops adapted to rollably retain said rollers aliixed to opposite sides of said web, a load member consisting of sheet metal formed into a substantially C shape thus providing a groove adapted to slidably receive one of said rows of rollers and a fixed member consisting of sheet metal formed into a substantially C shape thus providing a groove adapted to slidably receive the other of said rows.

16. A progressive slide mechanism comprising an intermediate member formed of a pair of elongated members having two rows of perforations arranged longitudinally,` a plurality of rollers larger than said perforatiens provided with reduced end portions, rollably posi'- tioned in said perforations, spacing members iixed be- Y tween said elongated members so as to rollably maintain saidV rollers between said elongated members, a load member providing a groove adapted to slidably receive' one of'said rows of rollers and a fixed member providing a groove adapted to slidably receive the other of said rows,

said fixed and load members consisting of a strip having its longitudinal edges rebent to provide laterally directed flanges arranged at right angles thereto and inwardly Y directed lian'ges parallel thereto wherein said last named flanges form said grooves. n

17. A progressive slide mechanism comprising a iixed member, a plurality of rollers having reduced end portions rotatably supported in tixed positions by said ixedV member,an intermediatevmember comprising an elon gated member having parallel spaced perforated mem-YV j bers, a plurality of rollers having reduced end portions, Ysaid rollers being rollably retained by said perforated members with said reduced portions extending through saidrperforations, said perforated member having laterally extending Vportionsrat right angles thereto, extending portions parallel to said perforated portion, and inwardly extending portions forming aV grooveV member adapted Yto slidably receive said xed rollers and a load member consisting'of a strip having its longitudinal edges rebent to provide laterally directed'anges arranged at right anglesV thereto and inwardly directed anges parallel Y thereto so as to provide a load-bearing member adapted to slideupon the exposed portion of the said intermediate member rollers. Y v

18. The'mechanism of claim 17 wherein said inter- VVmediate member and said xed members have rollers of Y Vunlike length.y

ber formed vof a pair of elongated members each having i a rst portion and bent at right angles thereto a second portion and a third portionrhaving a perforated edge outvvardly extending and parallel to said first portion, a plurality of rollers Vprovided with a reduced portion intermediate their ends rollably positioned in said perforafV tions, a locking member fixed between Vsaid tirst portions of said elongated members, and adapted to Vmate with said reduced portion so as to lock said rollers into Vsaid perforations, a Vload member` having a groove adapted to sidaoly rei; member having a groove adapted to slidably receive the other of said rows, and a resilient material compressed between said supporting member Yand said xed'member.

20. A slide mechanismV comprising a member formed of a pair of spaced elongated members having matching A spaced perforations alongvthe edges, a plurality of rollers 19. A progressive slide mechanism for attachment to a supporting memben'comprising Lan intermediate memprovided with a reduced portion" intermediate their ends rollably positioned insaid perforations, a locking member -rixed between said elongated members and adapted toY mate with said reduced portion so as to lock said rollers into said perforations, and a fixed member having a groove adapted to slidably receive the said row ofY rollers.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNTED STATES PATENTS i one of said rows of rollers and a ixed l 

